Kwame Knocks Down Walls to Double Emergency Shelter Beds for Victims of Domestic Violence

My Sister’s Place begins demolition of facility to be completed in fall

At an undisclosed location, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown joined board members and staff of My Sister’s Place to begin demolition of a facility that will double the organization’s emergency shelter beds from 22 to 45.  My Sister’s Place is the oldest and only confidential shelter for battered women and their children in the District.  Councilmember Brown started the demolition by smashing down a wall with a sledge hammer.  During his first term in office, Councilmember Brown secured $1 million for the project, which will be completed in the fall of 2010.

“When this new facility is complete, it will be a comfort for families who are suffering and in need of refuge,” said Councilmember Brown.  “Domestic violence is too often kept secret or swept under the rug and I’m proud that not only are we having a healthy dialogue but we’re taking actions that can save lives.”

It is estimated that 1 out of every 4 women will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime.  There may be as many as 75,000 victims of domestic violence residing in the District. With this in mind, Councilmember Brown focused his first term on an unprecedented reform of the District’s domestic violence laws.  He introduced legislation to allow victims of domestic violence to file for restraining orders during nights and weekends leading to a groundbreaking pilot program.  In addition, he authored the “Victims of Domestic Violence Establishment Fund Act,” which resulted in a tripling of the number of shelter beds for domestic abuse victims in the District.  Each year he sponsors a Council resolution to declare October “Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and dedicated staff, I would like to thank Councilmember Brown for his leadership in providing the necessary funding to allow us to continue to serve victims of domestic violence and their children for years to come,” said Board Chair and Acting Executive Director Lauren C. Vaughan.

My Sister’s Place launched the Sanctuary Plus Shelter Expansion and Renovation Initiative to ensure that families fleeing from domestic abuse can turn to a safe place instead of returning to a violent home or living on the streets.  The 9,000 square foot facility will have private counseling and therapy rooms and a computer resource room for mothers seeking work.  The facility will also feature the District’s only 24-hour domestic violence emergency hotline.

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

Here are some great photos from the demolition: